Old Ream Papers: An Essay on Early Ream Wrappers of Antiquarian Interest
North Hills, PA: Bird & Bull Press, 1969. Hardcover. Number 244 of 375 copies. The Bird & Bull Press was one of America’s oldest private presses, started in 1958 by Henry Morris – who describes a private press as “someone who prints books or ephemera related to his personal interests…” By starting the press Morris was hoping to “make use of the product of a new hobby – hand paper-making.” Many of the books published by Bird & Bull dealt with book related subjects, such as paper-making, printing, illustration, book binding, and typography. In 2013, Morris announced that he was ending his press's 55 years of activity due to advanced age and difficulty finding exciting projects.
This work exemplifies Morris's dedication to publishing works on printing history. On his first trip to Europe, Morris and his wife arranged to meet with Henk Voorn, a Dutch papermaking scholar. When meeting Voorn, Morris was fascinated by his private collection of ream wrappers. After they talked about these artifacts, Morris commissioned Henk to write a book on the subject for the press. When he returned home, Morris began making paper for the book, which took 30 weeks, while Voorn was working on the text. Morris writes in the Bird & Bull bibliography (Taylor A8) that the book was the lengthiest text he had printed and there were many illustrations [44 in total]. After publication Morris found that the book did not sell - he thought it was a because the book was too scholarly and that the edition should have been smaller. It went out of print in 1973. Bound by Kurt Gaebel & Sons in quarter red leather with marbled paper over boards, with gilt titling lettered vertically on the spine. Printed in Baskerville types on handmade paper from the press's own papermill. Does not include the special portfolio or the prospectus. In fine condition. Measures 7.50 x 9.75 inches. 108 pages. PRI/080524. Fine.
Item #37410
Price: $150.00